Kiplinger, a business and personal finance magazine that also provides college rankings, posted an article about the revamped ratings on its Web site on Wednesday. Kevin McCormally, the magazine’s editorial director, confirmed Claremont McKenna’s removal.

“After recomputing the rankings based on what the college says is accurate SAT data, we discovered that the inflated figures did not give the school an advantage in our rankings,” Kiplinger’s article said. “Honest data would have earned Claremont McKenna the No. 18 ranking. Still, the school will not be reinstated to the 2012 rankings.”

A spokesman for Claremont McKenna said the school had no comment on Kiplinger’s decision.

“At the very most it would move the school by one point,” Mr. Morse said on Wednesday. “One place based on what they’ve submitted so far. I’m not saying that is the case.”

Mr. McCormally said the Claremont McKenna case set a precedent. “Any school we learn that has falsified data will be removed,” he said.

Kiplinger’s article said it dropped Claremont McKenna from this year’s rankings “not from a desire to punish what by all accounts is a fine school, but to reassert our commitment to fairness, accuracy and integrity.”

“We expect to include Claremont McKenna in next year’s rankings for its longstanding, and legitimate, record for value.”

Do you see Kiplinger’s move as punitive, or necessary? What about U.S. News & World Report’s reaction to the falsified data? Tell us in the comment box below.

How disingenuous of Kiplinger. Of course it’s a punishment, they have the correct data and can fulfill their desire for accuracy and integrity. But fairness–I don’t think so. How fair is it to students who read Kiplinger’s seeking information on colleges for them to leave off a top-ranked school? Kiplinger should get off it’s high horse and remember who it is purportedly serving.

Mr. McCormally, is this really you: “After recomputing the rankings based on what the college says is accurate SAT data, we discovered that the inflated figures did not give the school an advantage in our rankings…..Honest data would have earned Claremont McKenna the No. 18 ranking. Still, the school will not be reinstated to the 2012 rankings.”?

So the revisions don’t change anything….and the school is being punished (removed from your list) for its Dean’s dishonesty?

If this is the kind of critical thinking you use with all editorial matters at Kiplinger, I can no longer look at any of your content with any credibility.

I am disappointed that US News & World Report is not taking the same action. They don’t need to complete an investigation, the school has acknowledged they fudged the numbers, end of story. If US News followed suit and every school knows cheating will have a huge impact for them, then the cost becomes too high.

This action by US News promises schools the risk is worth it, the punishment slight.